My Brimbank: Natasha Godfrey

Natasha Godfrey has lived in Albion for 10 years. She talks with Stella Tzobanakis about why she moved from east to west.

What do you love about Albion?

I grew up in a leafy part of the north-eastern suburbs and I love that the west is more diverse. I find that people are less concerned with outward appearances and more interested in getting along in life. Almost everyone is friendly and honest. I also enjoy the parks and ducks down at the creek.

What would you like to change – if anything – about the suburb?

Both my children have autism and I have always had to travel to surrounding suburbs to access therapies for them. Sunshine has an undeservedly bad reputation and unfortunately private practices don’t choose to set up here.

Do you work in the area?

I work from home, so yes.

What is it that you do?

I run a small social enterprise that sells books and sewing patterns via an eBay store. I employ a Sunshine West resident who has an intellectual disability and had not had any formal work since finishing school before he started with me. He takes photos of books and edits them, and prepares packing material for sending out orders.

Another friend, a Kurdish Iranian refugee, also works with me. We met when I was running a playgroup in Sunshine. She was standing in the H.V. McKay Memorial Gardens with her daughter looking at the children playing. I invited her in, she accepted and we have been friends ever since. It’s been really exciting to be able to create some work for her. She just moved to Melton, but before that she lived a few blocks from me in Albion.

What is your favorite place to eat or visit in Albion or Brimbank and why?

I love Sunshine Social (on Glengala Road in West Sunshine) – good food and kid-friendly. I also love the doughnuts from the Polish deli in Albion.

If someone had never been to your suburb, what would you say about it to entice them to the area?

There’s great food from all over the world, friendly people and some beautiful outdoor spaces.